Selling Basses via a shop

[bassatnight]

Hi All,

 

As the market for selling basses seems a little slow in the current climate, I have been thinking about selling a few basses via a reputable music store. Does anyone have any advice/experience of selling via a store in terms of their costs and any potential issues to look out for or any recommendations of any particular store in the UK from previous experience.

 

Cheers,

Steve.

[Old Horse Murphy]

I'd contact Will at Bass Bros in the first instance. He's sold a few basses for me recently and has been excellent and is completely trustworthy. 
 

He also offers to either sell on commission or buy them outright if you're more interested in doing that. 

[franzbassist]

Bass Bros seem to be getting some real traction in the marketplace at the moment.  I haven't used them myself, but if OHM recommends them they must be good.

[spacecowboy]

Depending on the value of the instruments you’re selling you can negotiate lower commission percentages, I recently sold basses of value at a reduced commission as it still made the store a good cut! 👍 

[bassatnight]

Thanks for the advice guys, looks like Bass Bros will be getting a call.

[fleabag]

You need to decide whether you want to sell on commisiion or direct to the shop.  They dont all do commisiion sales. 

[BillyBass]

VAT can be a bit of a killer.  If you sell on to Guitarguitar or the like they won't give you so much as they have to add on 20%VAT when they sell them.

 

The Bass Gallery in N. London has sold a couple basses for me.  They put them on Reverb and take a 15% cut of the price.  I assume the 15% is the only bit their accountants have to consider for tax purposes.  

[miles'tone]

Bass Bros would be my first port of call too. Only bought from there but Will is cool.

[Guest]

In 2021–2023, I sold three basses in the £350–500 range through Bass Direct. An straightforward painless process all three times. I sent them via Parcelforce, which was under £15 iirc, and BD took a 20% cut from what were good prices. I was happy all three times. 

[bassatnight]

I am selling potentially my Rickenbacker 4003, Aria SB1000, Musicman Stealth Bongo and my old Aria RSB deluxe 5 so quite the cull. 

[uk_lefty]

I didn't end up using them but Bass Bros offered me a good price last time I enquired.